Door latch assembly



Aprifl w? .1. L. JENSEN 3,314,704

DOOR LATCH AS SEMBLY Filed June 17, 1964 JENSEN United States Patent Ofitice 3,3MJM Patented Apr. 118, 1967 3,314,704 DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY John L. Jensen, Estherville, Iowa 51334 Filed June 17, 1964, Ser. No. 375,744 4 (:laims. (Cl. 292-170) This invention relates to a door latch assembly and more particularly to a door latch assembly which has a minimum of moving parts and which is substantially maintenance free.

The conventional door latch assemblies are complicated devices. The existing door latch assemblies have an extremely large number of moving parts which often require maintenance. These door latch assemblies are usually difficult to install in a door and sometimes require special tools.

Therefore, it is a provide a door latch moving parts.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a door latch assembly which is substantially maintenance free.

A further object of this invention is to provide a door latch assembly which is of simple construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a door latch assembly which is easily and quickly installed without the aid of special tools.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a door latch assembly which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the door latch assembly installed on a door member;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device as seen on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship of the moving parts thereof when the latch bolt is in an extended position, at an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the device as seen on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship of the moving parts thereof when the latch bolt is in a withdrawn position, at an enlarge-d scale;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device as seen on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device as seen on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the device as seen on line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the device as seen on line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional line 8-8 of FIG. 4;

BIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of an embodiment of the device wherein the latch bolt may be moved by pushing, pulling or rotating the door knob;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the device as seen on line Ill-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view line 1i1 1 1 of FIG. 9.

The numeral 10 generally designates a wall member having a door -11 hingedly mounted thereon having an edge portion 12 and opposite sides 13 and 14. Door 11 has an elongated circular bore 15 extending inwardly from edge portion 12 between sides 13 and 14 and parallel thereto. An elongated circular bore 16 extends through door It]. at a right angle to bore 15 and is in communication therewith.

principal object of this invention to assembly which has a minimum of view of the device as seen on of the device as seen on A metal latch bolt plate 17 is secured to edge portion 12 of door 11 around the outer end of bore 15 by means of screws 18 and slidably receives latch bolt 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A nylon bolt 20 is secured at one of its ends to the inner end of latch bolt 19 by any convenient means and slid ably extends inwardly through guide member 21 which is retained in sleeve member 22 by snap ring 23. Guide member 21 has a nylon insert 24 to provide a bearing surface for bolt 2%. A spring 25 embraces bolt 20 and has its outer end abutting the inner end of latch bolt 19 and its inner end abutting the outer end of nylon insert 24 and yieldably maintains latch bolt I9 in an outwardly extending position or in a locked position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The inner end of bolt 20 is externally threaded and is threadably received by the outer end of nylon cylinder 26. Cylinder 26 has an ripper portion 27, lower portion 28, and an arm member 29 extending therebetween both inwardly and outwardly from the inner end thereof. The inner end of arm member is slidably received by a guide member 30 which is secured to sleeve 22 by snap rings 31. The outer end of arm member 29 has a cam surface thereon as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5.

A shaft 32 extends through bore 16 and has external threads on both of its ends. Horizontally disposed wheels 38 and 34 are rotatably secured to the top and bottom portions of shaft 32 respectively by means of pin 35 extending therethrough intermediate its length. Wheels 33 and 34 are so mounted on shaft 32 to enable the peripheries thereof to engage the cam surface of arm member 29 at times. It should be noted that wheels 33 and 34 extend between top portion 27 .and lower portion 28 of cylinder 26 when engaging arm member 29.

An annular backing plate 36 is secured to side ,13 of door 11 by means of screw assemblies 37 and has a flange 3'8 partially extending into bore 16 as illustrated in FIG. 2. An annular cover plate 39 is secured to backing plate 36 in a superimposed position by means of screws 40.

The center of cover plate 39 is adapted to slidably receive door knob 41 which is threadably secured to shaft 32 and has a nylon ring 42 secured thereto. Nylon ring 42 has tongue members 43' slidably engaging grooves 44 in door knob 41.

An annular backing plate 45 is secured to side 14 of door 11 by means of screw assemblies 37 and has a flange 46 partially extending into bore 16 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The center of backing plate 415 is provided with a nylon insert 47 through which shaft 32 slidably extends. A spring 48 embraces shaft 32 between pin 49 in shaft 32 and nylon insert 47 which yieldably maintains the device in the position illustrated in FIG. 2.

An annular cover plate 39' is secured to backing plate 45 in a superimposed position by means of screws 40'. The center of cover plate 39' is adapted to slidably receive door knob 41 which is threadably secured to shaft 32 and has a nylon ring 42 secured thereto. Nylon ring 42 has tongue members 43 slidably engaging grooves 44 in door knob 41.

An elongated locking pin 50 slidably extends through a cover plate 39', backing plate 45, side .14 and sleeve 22 into bore 15 wherein it is received by hole 51 in the inner end of arm member 29 at times. Cover plate 39, backing plate 36, side 13 and sleeve 22 have openings 52, 53, 54 and 55 respectively which are aligned with the longitudinal axis of locking pin 50.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 is substantially identical to the device previously described with the exception being in the manner in which the door knobs are secured to shaft 32'.

A nylon cylindrical sleeve 56 is threadably secured to en the end of shaft 32 and maintained thereon by means of pin 57. Sleeve 56 has a groove 58 in its outer periphery which takes substantially the shape of opposite V-shaped grooves with the points thereof pointing outwardly when seen in an elevational view.

A nylon sleeve 59 embraces sleeve 56 and has pins 60 and 61 extending through its opposite sides which have their inner ends engaging groove 58 at the opposite outer points thereof.

A nylon sleeve 62 embraces sleeve 59 and has tongue members 63 and 64 longitudinally slidably engaging grooves 65 and 66 in sleeve 59 respectively. It should be noted that sleeve 62 maintains pins 60 and 61 in engagement with groove 58.

The shank portion of door knob 67 embraces sleeve 62 and has grooves 68 and 69 therein which longitudinally slidably receive tongue members 70 and 71 of sleeve 62 respectively as illustrated in FIG. 11.

A nylon ring 72 is secured to cover plate 73 and acts as a bearing surface for the shank portion of door knob 67.

The inner end of the shank portion of door knob 67 has a snap ring 74 engaging the outer periphery thereof to limit the outward movement of door knob 67 with respect to cover plate 73. A snap ring 75 engages the inner periphery of the shank portion of door knob 67, sleeve 59 and sleeve 62 so that any longitudinal movement of door knob 67 will also move sleeves 59 and 62 in the same direction.

A snap ring 76 is secured to the outer periphery of sleeve 59 at its outer end and engages the outer peripheral end of sleeve 62 as seen in FIG. 9.

A door knob 67 is secured to the other end of shaft 32' and is secured thereto as was door knob 67. The only difference between the left hand assembly and right hand assembly as viewed in FIG. 9 is that groove 58' points in an opposite direction to groove 58 with respect to the interior of the door. Inasmuch as the remainder of the structure is identical as just described only one side will be described with indicating identical structure.

With regard to the device seen in FIGS. 28, the normal method of operation is as follows. When it is desired that door 11 be opened from side 13, door knob 41 is simply pushed inwardly into cover plate 39 with tongue members 43 of nylon ring 4-2 engaging grooves 44 of door knob 41. The inward movement of door knob 41 causes shaft 32 to be moved inwardly as well. Wheels 33 and 34 will engage the cam surface of arm member 29 and as shaft 32 continues to move inwardly will move arm member 29 and cylinder 26 inwardly with respect to door edge 12. The inward movement of cylinder 26 will cause latch bolt 19 to be moved inwardly into an unlocked position. Door 11 may then be opened. When door knob 41 is released spring 48 will force shaft 32 back to its initial position due to its compression. The compression of spring will cause latch bolt 19 to be extended once again to a locked position. Spring 25 also permits door latch 19 to move inwardly into bore 15 when door 11 is being closed and then return to its locked position when it is completely closed.

Door 11 may be opened from side 14 by simply pulling on door knob 41. Such movement of door knob 41' causes identical movement of the inner parts as just described.

Locking pin may be moved inwardly into engagement with hole 51 in arm member 29 when it is desired to lock the door. Such engagement obviously prevents any longitudinal movement of cylinder 26 or latch bolt 19. If the door is accidentally locked it is simply necessary to insert an elongated object through holes 52, 53, 54 and and push locking pin 50 out of engagement with arm member 29.

Although the described relationship between wheels 33, 34 and arm member 29 is the most desirable, it is possible also to place the wheel members on arm memher 29 and place a cam surface on shaft 32 or in other words, merely reversing the parts.

With regard to the embodiment seen in FIGS. 9-11, the normal method of operation is as follows.

Door 11 may be opened either by rotating door knobs 67 or 67 or by longitudinal movement thereof. Rotation of door knob 67 will cause rotation of sleeves 62 and 59 due to the various tongue members engaging the respective grooves as previously described. As sleeve 59 rotates, pins 60 and 61 will also rotate therewith. The rotation of pins 60 and 61 will cause sleeve 56 to be moved longitudinally as pins 66 and 61 travel along groove 58, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The longitudinal movement of sleeve 56, as just described, will cause shaft 32 to also move longitudinally and cause the latch bolt to be moved inwardly in identical fashion as described above. The rotation of door knob 67 would result in identical results.

As stated before, door 11 could be also opened by simply pushing or pulling door knobs 67 or 67 respectively. It has been previously described that longitudinal movement of knob 67 also causes longitudinal movement of sleeves 62 and 59 due to the various snap rings described. Due to pins 60 and 61 extending through sleeve 59, any longitudinal movement thereof obviously will also cause pins 60 and 61 to move longitudinally. The inner ends of pins 69 and 61 would normally be positioned in the outer points of groove 58 and on opposite sides of sleeve 56. As pins 60 and 61 are moved outwardly, sleeve 56 will also be moved outwardly due to the engagement between pins 60 and 61 and groove 58. The outward movement of sleeve 56 causes shaft 32' to be moved with resultant opening of the door.

Door 11 could also be opened from the other side thereof by simply pushing on door knob 67. The engagement between pins 60 and 61' and groove 58 would push sleeve 56' inwardly with resultant movement of shaft 32' identical to that just described.

The device obviously has few moving parts and, because many of the moving parts are constructed of nylon, the device will be long lasting and substantially maintenance free. quickly and easily installed tools.

Therefore, the device obviously accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my door latch assembly without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a latch bolt assembly for a door having an edge portion and opposite sides,

a first bore extending inwardly into said door from said edge and transversely to said edge,

a second bore extending through said opposite sides of said door transversely to said first bore and in communication therewith,

an elongated latch bolt means slidably mounted in said first bore and including a cam receiving surface thereon,

a shaft longitudinally reciprocatably slidably mounted in said second bore,

a cam means secured to said shaft,

said cam means being adapted upon longitudinal displacement of said shaft in one direction to engage said cam receiving surface to longitudinally move said latch bolt means,

said shaft having a sleeve means embracing each of its ends, a door knob embracing each of said sleeve means,

means to prevent rotation of said shaft,

and means between each of said sleeve means and in a door without special It is also obvious that the device can beeach of said door knobs to longitudinally displace said shaft upon rotation of one of said door knobs. 2. In a latch bolt assembly for a door having an edge portion and opposite sides,

a first bore extending inwardly into said door from said edge and transversely to said edge,

a second bore extending through said opposite sides of said door transversely to said first bore and in communication therewith,

an elongated latch bolt means slidably mounted in said first bore and including a cam receiving surface thereon,

a shaft longitudinally reciprocatably slidably mounted in said second bore,

a cam means secured to said shaft,

said cam means being adapted upon longitudinal displacement of said shaft in one direction to engage said cam receiving surface to longitudinally move said latch bolt means,

said shaft having a sleeve means embracing each of its ends, a door knob embracing each of said sleeve means,

means to prevent rotation of said shaft,

and means between each of said sleeve means and each of said door knobs to longitudinally displace said shaft upon rotation of one of said door knobs, and to also longitudinally displace said shaft by displacing one of said door knobs with respect to one of said sides of said door.

3. In a latch bolt assembly for a door having an edge portion and opposite sides,

a first bore extending inwardly into said door from said edge and transversely to said edge,

a second bore extending through said opposite sides of said door transversely to said first bore and in communication therewith,

an elongated latch bolt means slidably mounted in said first bore and having a cam surface thereon,

a shaft longitudinally reciprocatably slidably mounted in said second bore,

and a cam wheel means rotatably secured to said shaft,

said cam wheel means being adapted upon longitudinal displacement of said shaft in one direction to engage said cam surface to longitudinally move said latch bolt means,

said shaft having at each of its ends a first sleeve fixedly embracing the outer portion thereof and having a top and bottom portion; said first sleeve having a V-shaped groove in its top portion and a V-shaped groove in its bottom surface; the free ends of one of said V-shaped grooves being in communication with the free ends of the other V-shaped groove; a second sleeve embracing said first sleeve and having first and second pins extending inwardly through opposite sides thereof; the inner ends of said first and second pins engaging said first and second V-shaped grooves respectively; a third sleeve embracing said second sleeve; a door knob having a shank portion embracing said third sleeve; said first sleeve and said shaft adapted to move longitudinally when one of said 6 door knobs is rotated; said second and third sleeves on each end of said shaft being rotatably responsive to rotation of the door knob mounted thereon. 4. In a latch bolt assembly for a door having an edge portion and opposite sides,

a first bore extending inwardly into said door from said edge and transversely to said edge,

a second bore extending through said opposite sides of said door transversely to said first bore and in communication therewith,

an elongated latch bolt means slidably mounted in said first bore and having a cam surface thereon,

a shaft longitudinally reciprocatably slidably mounted in said second bore,

and a cam wheel means rotatably secured to said shaft,

said cam wheel means being adapted upon longitudinal displacement of said shaft in one direction to engage said cam surface to longitudinally move said latch bolt means,

said shaft having at each of its ends a first sleeve fixedly embracing the outer portion thereof and having a top and bottom portion; said first sleeve having a V-shaped groove in its top portion and a V-shaped groove in its bottom surface; the free ends of one of said V-shaped grooves being in communication with the free ends of the other V-shaped groove; a second sleeve embracing said first sleeve and having first and second pins extending inwardly through opposite sides thereof; the inner ends of said first and second pins engaging said first and second V-shaped grooves respectively; a third sleeve embracing said second sleeve; a door knob haivng a shank portion embracing said third sleeve; said first sleeve and said shaft adapted to move longitudinally when one of said door knobs is moved longitudinally; said first, second and third sleeves on each end of said shaft being longitudinally movably responsive to longitudinal movement of the door knob mounted thereon.

References {Iited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 8/1879 France. 6/ 1922 France. 9/1884 Great Britain.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

I. R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A LATCH BOLT ASSEMBLY FOR A DOOR HAVING AN EDGE PORTION AND OPPOSITE SIDES, A FIRST BORE EXTENDING INWARDLY INTO SAID DOOR FROM SAID EDGE AND TRANSVERSELY TO SAID EDGE, A SECOND BORE EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID DOOR TRANSVERSELY TO SAID FIRST BORE AND IN COMMUNICATION THEREWITH, AN ELONGATED LATCH BOLT MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID FIRST BORE AND INCLUDING A CAM RECEIVING SURFACE THEREON, A SHAFT LONGITUDINALLY RECIPROCATABLY SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID SECOND BORE, A CAM MEANS SECURED TO SAID SHAFT, 